About Dottie Tales

Welcome to Dottie Tales

This blog is called Dottie Tales because my name is Dorothea. There are always people who insist on abbreviating my name to Dottie. And maybe my tales are slightly dotty, too!

I was born and grew up in Germany. The first seven years of my life I spent in Braunschweig, which had a profound influence on me Before starting school, I spent quite a bit of time with my grandparents. My grandfather was a born story-teller. It was in his stories that I was first introduced to many of Braunschweig’s historic buildings. Usually, the main character was a young princess, who experienced all sorts of adventures in these settings. Sometimes their purpose changed in his representation. I remember the post-war ruins of a 19th-century villa, which in his imagination were transformed into a medieval castle, with hidden staircases and everything a fairy tale castle needs. Every day, there was a new installment in his stories with new twists and turns. I credit Opa with my interest in history as he had the wonderful gift of bringing history alive to a little child.

We then moved to Königswinter near Bonn. I eventually graduated from Bonn University.

Besides in Germany, I have lived in the Hertfordshire in the UK, and in South Africa, before eventually coming to New South Wales in Australia.

St Martin’s Fountain in Bonn

For as long as I can remember I have been interested in history, so this blog will largely cover historical topics. The emphasis is on the late medieval period and early modern era, with excursions into other eras and topics. Whatever the period, I find that research is a bit like detective work and always fascinating. I sometimes feel like the boy in the picture above. He is trying to catch a goose – I am trying to find another piece to the puzzle .

I hope you will find the topics that interest me of interest too and will come back to read more on Dottie Tales.